Lynchburg Lyn 5-4,3-1 ODAC

William Peace WPU 4-5,0-0 USA South

Lynchburg Lyn

5-4,3-1 ODAC

Final

Dec. 10, 2023

William Peace WPU

4-5,0-0 USA South

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Lynchburg Lyn	35	32	67
William Peace WPU	41	41	82

Summary
Box Score

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 12/10/2023 6:54:00 PM | WPU Athletic Communications

Pacers Impressive In 82-67 Win Over Lynchburg

RALEIGH, N.C. – The plan to prepare William Peace for the USA South schedule appears to be working.

William Peace was impressive from start to finish in a satisfying 82-67 men's basketball win over Lynchburg at the Hermann Athletic Center on Sunday afternoon. Beau Bryant led a balanced scoring effort with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

The Pacers evened their record at 4-4 overall despite playing a challenging non-conference slate, which includes three nationally-ranked opponents. They will be battle-tested come January 2024, when conference play starts.

William Peace has already played nationally-ranked Virginia Wesleyan and Guilford and will host No. 7 Hampden-Sydney on Tuesday before facing Guilford again later in December. Guilford has since slid up the rankings to No. 3 since its meeting with the Pacers in late November.

All three teams are in the nearby ODAC conference as well as Lynchburg, which entered Sunday with a winning record. Any thoughts that Lynchburg had of getting an easy win like their fellow ODAC members were dashed from tipoff. The Pacers took the fight to Lynchburg (5-4 overall) and never let up.

"It is our biggest win without a doubt," Pacers Head Coach Claude Shields said. "It is a confidence-builder for our guys. Lynchburg could definitely compete to win the USA South. The ODAC is really tough. That's why you play these games. I was really impressed with our effort in beating a really good Lynchburg team. We haven't played since UNCG [Dec. 1] and are coming out of exams."

The only time the Pacers trailed was 2-0 on the Hornets' first basket. Bryant scored eight points for a 17-6 lead which set the tone. The Pacers never relinquished the lead despite several Lynchburg runs.

Ahead 45-42 early in the second half, the Pacers spurted away to take the Hornets' sting. A 34-20 run ballooned their lead to 17 points at the three-minute mark. Bryant scored 12 points and Michael Dulin added nine points during the key run.

"Bryant having 23 points and 10 defensive rebounds were really big, especially during that crucial stretch as we were pulling away," Shields said. "He is a fifth-year senior and a tremendous leader for us. We need more of that as we move forward."

Overall, Dulin added 16 points, seven rebounds and two steals for the Pacers, who shot 46 percent and committed only 12 turnovers. Timothy Pettiford also scored 16 points and Tyler Parton added 11 points and three steals. Defensively, the Pacers forced the Hornets into 19 turnovers and 39 percent shooting.

"Our starting lineup [Pettiford, Shawn Jones, Dulin, Parton and Bryant] played a lot together today," Shields said. "They played 15 minutes together and outscored Lynchburg by 17. That's the game, essentially."

"Donolique Tyrell didn't score a point [off the bench] but was a game-changer for us," Shields added. "He made a bunch of winning plays. He grabbed a couple of boards and took a huge charge in 12 minutes. That was impressive to watch."

William Peace has two days to enjoy the win before facing No. 7 Hampden-Sydney on Tuesday. It is another test, but one that will prepare them for next month.

"It is a team that can not only win our league or the ODAC, but win the national championship," Shields said "[Hampden-Sydney] made it to the second round last year and brought everybody back. Playing those teams is what makes you better when we get into conference play on Jan. 3."

Print Friendly Version